Chicken/garden questions

[bigteamug]

We're getting chickens this spring sometime (DH has a coworker with hens that we've been buying eggs from who is getting out of chickens - bad for her asthma) and I have a bunch of questions that I'm hoping y'all might know something about:

For basic info, we'd be getting 3-4 hens, we live in town on a 50x120 lot, and in eastern WA - so dark, cold winters.

Can I use pine needle straw as bedding?  We have long-needled pines in our yard, so it's free - I'm concerned that it may be a bit prickly, and that because they aren't hollow like hay, they might not be as warm in the winters.  At least I know it's free of chemicals.....

I'm looking at setting up raised beds with cement blocks (small hollow ones to put beneficial flowers in) for the garden, each probably 4x8ft.  I was thinking I'd get the new finer chain-link fence made into panels to make a run for the birds (covered on top, too), and put it over two of the beds at a time.  How long will the beds last before I have to move the birds?  I guess there would either be a green manure or garden plant remains in the beds.  How many beds do I need to make things work?  Or is this even feasible?

If I let the chickens roam while we're out there, will they stay in the yard?  Mostly 6 foot solid wood fence, with a smaller run of 4 foot.  Is it bad to do that if we have berries, fruit trees, etc around?  Is the neighbor's cat, who gets in our yard likely to cause problems?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out the logistics of the whole thing....any advice is welcome.

Oh, and are there questions I should ask about the hens we would be getting or things to look for?  They've been raised on organic feed and are less than a year old.  

Thank you!

Added - looking things over before I posted, it was a bit scattered (like my brain nowadays ;) ), so I put the questions in color to make them easier to spot.

[limette]

I wouldn't use straw or pine for bedding as it gets matted down when dirty. I like shavings

Are you planting in the raised beds? Chicken poop needs to be composted before it's applied to the beds to rule out disease (ecoli?) and so you don't kill your plants from all that nitrogen. Also chickens will eat your plants.

A fence will keep them in but is yours strong enough to keep predators out (dogs, skunks etc)? Fruit trees and shrubs should be fine if you don't mind sharing your harvest.

[mattemma04]

 I have my 8 hens in a metal shed. I use pine shavings on the concrete floor,and straw in the nesting boxes(egg crates). I clean up the poop daily in the am when I take out water.I clean out all the coop every month or so. I have a plastic fence around the coop for a run,and over that I have bird netting to slow down the hawks during an attack. A metal fence with a top is far more ideal.

I have a chainlink fence around my property,and if I let the hens free range there has not been issue with flying over the fence.They MIGHT try if a hawk attacked them.Usually they run back to the shed. I have 3 cats and they look at the hens,but have not tried to attack them.A few pecks for the hen,and the cat will learn to stay away. I have 2 dogs,but I never let the hens free range when the dogs are out.Dogs are quick to kill.

I like the pine shavings.I get some from the feed store,but it is like saw DUST.Hate it but it is cheap.I might put that and then over top a more fluffy shaving.

You will need some GRIT(or let them find stones)  and oyster shell for calcium.You can buy big bags at the feed store that will last a long time.No help with the organic feed since I give Layena pellets. I also give scratch at night during the winter.Mine stay in the shed all winter so I give them fresh veggies and fruits daily.In the summer I feed them those darn japanese bettles!

If you let the hens roam stay with them.You will be amazed at the number of animals that will kill your hens-dogs,raccons,hawks,possums,skunks....and so on. I walk with mine and carry a stick to herd,or ward off the hawks.

They say you get less eggs during the winter,but I have not had this issue.

Make or buy a waterer and feeder.I bought 3 waterers and one large feeder at the feed store.

Hens really work the soil and poop a lot so it won't be long before you have to move them around.My hens had a run over lawn,but the grass is pretty much gone now after the second year. I usually throw straw around the run,and will rake it(and the poop) up to compost. I would save the pine needles for acid loving plants.My hens don't eat the berries unless they are given them.They will however scratch the heck out of an area,so seedlings need to be protected.Mine come running to me if I am turning over the soil.They want those worms.

Have fun with them! Biggest issue is to predator proof the coop and run. Neighboring dogs on the loose will see your chickens as chew toys.

Check out the backyard chickens forums.

Also good to have on hand is some blue kote spray for injuires and antibiotics for illness.Supposed to worm them yearly,but I have not done that yet. Have a cage of some sort in case you need to house a hen inside. I had one in for major feather loss.She was raw.Now I have another inside that probably dropped an egg inside her gut,and is now all infected.

It all seems like a lot but you get into the groove of it.They are fun to have!